outside of my comfort zone

No joke…our little suburban town is filled with families in cushy houses and chasing youth sports. The biggest stressor is busyness.

Last week I had the opportunity to get outside of that comfort zone. I stepped into a different world, a different way of life, and interacted with people who were different from me.

Our church has a program — called Truth Seekers — that’s geared for 3rd through 5th graders. Over the course of these three years, they are taught truth from Genesis to Revelation, they serve in our community, and love on people in a nursing home and homeless shelter. Then, at the end of their 5th grade year, they load into several vans and drive to Williamsburg, KY, where 80% of the population is unemployed.

My oldest was among this group of 5th graders, so I signed up to chaperone. I was excited to go on this adventure with her — I hadn’t been on a mission trip since college and I was anxious to go. My heart was eager for God to stir in her and open her eyes to new things. I was also looking forward to getting to know the other adults on the trip. Little did I know, that God would do more than just give me some warm fuzzies and deep conversations. He opened my eyes.

I am 100% guilty of getting completely consumed with my circumstances. In fact, this morning I am overwhelmed by my to-do list, the piles of laundry taking over my closet, and trying to get caught up after being gone for a week.

What I forget on a daily basis are those in need — not just physical needs, but those who need Jesus.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14

I was reminded to look up. While going to other places is fabulous, God also asks us to GO on a daily basis — right here at home. To look up from our to-do lists, to step out of our front door, to look up from our phones and to look someone in the eyes. God loves them too. God loves our next-door neighbor, the co-worker we have trouble getting along with, and the cashier at the grocery store — just as much as He loves you and me.

That’s what I learned. It look me spending a week 11 hours away from home.